NSW’s Cyclone Warning: “Prepare for the worst”

Tropical Cyclone Alfred will make landfall on Queensland’s southern coast, but Premier Chris Minns has warned northern NSW to be ready.

Key Points

With the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warning that the cyclone could pack winds of up to 100kmh, unusually high tides and heavy rainfall, Premier Minns urged all residents in northern NSW to be prepared for the widespread effects of the storm.

“We’re asking them to be prepared, to listen to community awareness messages from the SES,” Mr Minns said.

“We hope for the best, but we have to prepare for the worst.”  

Landfall by Friday

After moving south for some time, Alfred has now turned west and is baring down on the coast near Brisbane.

The storm is expected to make landfall at Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast at around 2am Friday morning as a category-2 storm.

The BOM has warned the rating could be upgraded to category-3.

It will be the first cyclone to make landfall in south-east Queensland and northern NSW since 1974.

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“We hope for the best, but we have to prepare for the worst.” – Premier Chris Minns

Premier Minns has warned NSW residents in the Northern Rivers region that if they are “vulnerable” or worried about their living arrangements they should relocate to the homes of friends or family on Thursday.

There are also seven evacuation centres in the region.

Visit here for locations.

Flash flooding

Authorities told residents in northern NSW to expect moderate to major flooding in the Northern Rivers, the same region that was devastated by floods in 2022.

“The flooding that we may experience might be flash flooding, which happen very quickly and can be extremely dangerous … with little to no warning,” SES Superintendent Joanna Jones said.

“Riverine flooding takes a little bit longer and is associated with heavy rainfall over a prolonged period.”

Lismore braces

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said the community was bracing for more heartache.

He said that if the flood was bad as 2022 it would “would break many, many people.

“It would be hard to get up and keep going after that.”

Dire warning

With the region expected to receive heavy rainfall and flooding, Premier Minns has warned people not to drive through flood waters.

“It’s the single best way of losing your life,” he said.

Authorities told residents in northern NSW to expect moderate to major flooding in the Northern Rivers.

“You’re endangering yourself, whoever else is in your car and a volunteer from the SES who has to put their own life in danger to save you.”

He also urged those in the affected regions to download the Hazard Near Me app to get the latest updates.  

Supplies in demand

In Lismore, supermarket shelves have been cleared by panic buying.

The ABC reported that bread, fruit and vegetables were “scarce” at Coles Lismore Square on Monday. 

“There’s no reason to panic buy,” Mr Minns said.

“What will happen if you take everything off the shelves is that you’re not going to leave enough for your neighbours and your friends and other people in the community.”

Be alert and prepared

The BOM is forecasting as much as 800mm of rain in far north-east NSW.

Download the Hazard Near Me app for updates.

Rainfall of up to 400mm is predicted to fall between Coffs Harbour and the Queensland border.

As Alfred makes landfall, Friday is expected to see the heaviest rainfall before the storm system weakens.

The NSW SES is on standby in regions in the Northern Rivers and the Mid North Coast.

“Now what we need is the community to start being alert and preparing themselves,” NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Deb Platz told Nine’s Today.

For current warnings, visit here.

For NSW evacuation centres, visit here.

Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro